Intelligent and coordinated lighting of a lighting device

ABSTRACT

Intelligent lighting is provided to motorists traveling down a stretch of road by sequentially turning on adjacent lighting devices in a lighting segment only when required, such as when vehicles are approaching the lighting devices, and turning off the lighting devices or decreasing a light intensity output of the lighting devices to a predefined minimum lighting intensity output level when no vehicles are present. In addition, which bulb to use in a multi-bulb lighting device is determined, as well as the optimal lighting intensity level of the selected bulb. Further, it is determined which lighting devices in a lighting segment may be turned off or dimmed while maintaining a predefined minimum safe light/brightness level along a pathway associated with the lighting segment.

This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No.13/540,012, filed Jul. 2, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates generally to a method, data processing system,and computer program product for automatic intelligent and coordinatedlighting of a lighting device in a lighting system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Street lighting helps to prevent accidents and increase safety. Studiesshow that darkness results in a larger number of crashes and fatalities.Currently, street lights are turned on at sunset and turned off insunrise. Some more advanced street lights have an ambient light sensorthat automatically turns on the light during decreased ambient lightingconditions, such as during bad weather, and turns the light off whenambient lighting conditions are increased. It is common for streetlights to be attached to poles, such as telephone poles or utilitypoles, which have electrical wiring strung between them.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method forautomatically lighting a lighting device is provided. A data processingsystem sets a lighting intensity level of a lighting element located inthe lighting device to a first lighting intensity level. The lightingelement includes a plurality of different types of lighting intensitylevel bulbs, each bulb in the plurality of different types of lightingintensity level bulbs produces a different color temperature. Inresponse to the data processing system determining that an approachingobject is within a lighting interval of the lighting device, the dataprocessing system sets the lighting intensity level of the lightingelement to a second lighting intensity level. The data processing systemselects a set of one or more bulbs in the plurality of different typesof lighting intensity level bulbs to complement a color temperatureproduced by the approaching object. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, a data processing system and a computer program product forautomatically lighting a lighting device are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a network of data processingsystems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a data processing system in which illustrativeembodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lighting system inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a single bulb lightingdevice in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-bulb lightingdevice in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are a flowchart illustrating a process for automaticintelligent and coordinated lighting of a lighting device in a lightingsystem in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a specific example of a peer-to-peer algorithm in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

With reference now to the figures, and in particular, with reference toFIGS. 1-3, diagrams of data processing environments are provided inwhich illustrative embodiments may be implemented. It should beappreciated that FIGS. 1-3 are only meant as examples and are notintended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environments may be made.

FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a network of dataprocessing systems in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented.Network data processing system 100 is a network of computers and otherdevices in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented.Network data processing system 100 contains network 102, which is themedium used to provide communications links between the computers andthe other various devices connected together within network dataprocessing system 100. Network 102 may include connections, such aswire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.

In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect to network102, along with storage unit 108. Server 104 and server 106 may be, forexample, lighting utility service server devices with high speedconnections to network 102. Server 104 and server 106 may reside, forexample, within a public lighting utility system and represent aplurality of lighting utility service servers. In this example, thepublic lighting utility system uses server 104 and server 106 to monitorand control lighting that is provided by a plurality of client lightingdevices, such as client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114.

Storage unit 108 is a network storage device capable of storing data ina structured or unstructured format. Storage unit 108 may be, forexample, a network storage device that provides storage of currentlighting utility usage data, historical lighting utility usage data thatmay include bulb lighting intensity output level and temperature of eachclient lighting device in each particular lighting segment within alighting system, peer-to-peer client lighting device lightingalgorithms, predefined ambient lighting level threshold values, lightinglevel calculations, defined minimum lighting levels of particular clientlighting devices of a lighting system, historical traffic patterns ofvehicles and pedestrians in each particular lighting segment within alighting system, historical accident patterns of vehicles andpedestrians in each particular lighting segment within a lightingsystem, programs to calculate object direction of travel, distance, andspeed, and the number of lighting devices and the position of eachlighting device included in a particular lighting segment within aplurality of lighting segments of the lighting system. Further, itshould be noted that storage unit 108 may store other data, such as, forexample, security access information, such as user identification andpasswords, which a system administrator uses to access the publiclighting utility system.

Client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114 also connect to network 102.Client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114 are clients to server 104 andserver 106. In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 mayprovide information, such as boot files, operating system images, andapplications to client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114. In thisexample, client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114 are physical devicesthat emit light. Each of client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114 emitlight to a defined area along a pathway. Client lighting devices 110,112, and 114 may each represent a set of one or more lighting devices.Each set of lighting devices is included in a lighting segment within aplurality of lighting segments of the public lighting utility system.

The lighting devices may be, for example, variable intensity lamps orany other types of lighting apparatuses capable of providing a pluralityof different lighting intensity output levels to a defined area. Alighting intensity output level is an amount of light energy orbrightness that a lighting device produces or emits during a particulartime interval. Client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114 may increase ordecrease lighting intensity output levels in response to ambientlighting conditions and/or approaching objects. A defined area is aspecific location along a pathway that a particular set of lightingdevices provides light to. A pathway is a route along which a vehicle orpedestrian travels. The pathway may be, for example, an interstate, ahighway, a street, a road, an alley, a bicycle path, a walking/joggingpath, a sidewalk, a stairway, a train track, a subway track, a river, acanal, a stream, an airport runway, or any combination thereof. Avehicle is a means of transportation of people and/or goods. The vehiclemay be, for example, a semi tractor-trailer, a truck, a bus, a car, amotorcycle, a bicycle, a tricycle, a scooter, a train, a subway, awatercraft, or an aircraft. Also, for the purposes of thisspecification, a vehicle may represent a set of one or more vehicles. Apedestrian is a person that is traveling on foot. However, it should benoted that the definition of a pedestrian in this specification also mayinclude an animal.

In addition, each of client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114 includesa data processing system that processes incoming data from a set of oneor more sensors in order to provide intelligent and coordinated lightingto their respective defined areas along the pathway. Further, it shouldbe noted that client lighting devices 110, 112, and 114 may communicatewith one another using peer-to-peer communication protocols. Thepeer-to-peer communication may be via wired, wireless, or a combinationof wired and wireless communication links. Furthermore, it should benoted that network data processing system 100 may include additionalserver devices, client lighting devices, and other devices not shown.

Program code located in network data processing system 100 may be storedon a computer recordable storage medium and downloaded to a computer orother data processing device for use. For example, program code may bestored on a computer recordable storage medium on server 104 anddownloaded to client lighting device 110 over network 102 for use onclient lighting device 110.

In the depicted example, network data processing system 100 may beimplemented as a number of different types of networks, such as forexample, an internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a widearea network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as anarchitectural limitation for the different illustrative embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a diagram of a data processing system isdepicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Data processingsystem 200 is an example of a computer in which computer readableprogram code or instructions implementing processes of illustrativeembodiments may be located. Data processing system 200 may be locatedwithin, for example, a client lighting device, such as client lightingdevice 110 in FIG. 1. In this illustrative example, data processingsystem 200 includes communications fabric 202, which providescommunications between processor unit 204, memory 206, persistentstorage 208, communications unit 210, input/output (I/O) unit 212, anddisplay 214.

Processor unit 204 serves to execute instructions for softwareapplications or programs that may be loaded into memory 206. Processorunit 204 may be a set of one or more processors or may be amulti-processor core, depending on the particular implementation.Further, processor unit 204 may be implemented using one or moreheterogeneous processor systems, in which a main processor is presentwith secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrativeexample, processor unit 204 may be a symmetric multi-processor systemcontaining multiple processors of the same type.

Memory 206 and persistent storage 208 are examples of storage devices216. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable ofstoring information, such as, for example, without limitation, data,computer readable program code in functional form, and/or other suitableinformation either on a transient basis and/or a persistent basis.Memory 206, in these examples, may be, for example, a random accessmemory, or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device.Persistent storage 208 may take various forms, depending on theparticular implementation. For example, persistent storage 208 maycontain one or more devices. For example, persistent storage 208 may bea hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritablemagnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The media used bypersistent storage 208 may be removable. For example, a removable harddrive may be used for persistent storage 208.

In this example, persistent storage 208 stores intelligent lightingprogram 218. Data processing system 200 utilizes intelligent lightingprogram 218 to control the light output of a lighting device that dataprocessing system 200 is located within. In addition, data processingsystem 200 utilizes intelligent lighting program 218 to coordinate thelight output of the lighting device with other peer lighting devicescorresponding to a same lighting segment in the lighting system.Intelligent lighting program 218 calculates ambient lighting levels,calculates the current lighting level output of the lighting devicebased on the current ambient lighting level and approaching objects,calculates the direction, distance, and speed of the approachingobjects, and determines the number and location of each peer lightingdevice included within the same lighting segment of the lighting system.

Communications unit 210, in this example, provides for communicationwith other data processing systems, such as server 104 in FIG. 1, andother peer lighting devices, such as client lighting devices 112 and 114in FIG. 1. In this example, communications unit 210 is a networkinterface card. Communications unit 210 may provide communicationsthrough the use of either or both physical and wireless communicationslinks.

Input/output unit 212 allows for the input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to data processing system 200. Forexample, input/output unit 212 may provide a connection for user inputthrough a keyboard and/or some other suitable input device. Further,input/output unit 212 may send output to a printer. Display 214 providesa mechanism to display information to a user. It should be noted thatinput/output unit 212 and display 214 may be optional components of dataprocessing system 200.

Instructions for the operating system, applications, and/or programs maybe located in storage devices 216, which are in communication withprocessor unit 204 through communications fabric 202. In thisillustrative example, the instructions are in a functional form onpersistent storage 208. These instructions may be loaded into memory 206for running by processor unit 204. The processes of the differentembodiments may be performed by processor unit 204 using computerimplemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such asmemory 206. These instructions are referred to as program code, computerusable program code, or computer readable program code that may be readand run by processor unit 204. The program code, in the differentembodiments, may be embodied on different physical or computer readablestorage media, such as memory 206 or persistent storage 208.

Program code 220 is located in a functional form on computer readablemedia 222 that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto ortransferred to data processing system 200 for running by processor unit204. Program code 220 and computer readable media 222 form computerprogram product 224. In one example, computer readable media 222 may becomputer readable storage media 226 or computer readable signal media228. Computer readable storage media 226 may include, for example, anoptical or magnetic disc that is inserted or placed into a drive orother device that is part of persistent storage 208 for transfer onto astorage device, such as a hard drive, that is part of persistent storage208. Computer readable storage media 226 also may take the form of apersistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flashmemory that is connected to data processing system 200. In someinstances, computer readable storage media 226 may not be removable fromdata processing system 200.

Alternatively, program code 220 may be transferred to data processingsystem 200 using computer readable signal media 228. Computer readablesignal media 228 may be, for example, a propagated data signalcontaining program code 220. For example, computer readable signal media228 may be an electro-magnetic signal, an optical signal, and/or anyother suitable type of signal. These signals may be transmitted overcommunication links, such as wireless communication links, an opticalfiber cable, a coaxial cable, a wire, and/or any other suitable type ofcommunications link. In other words, the communications link and/or theconnection may be physical or wireless in the illustrative examples. Thecomputer readable media also may take the form of non-tangible media,such as communication links or wireless transmissions containing theprogram code.

In some illustrative embodiments, program code 220 may be downloadedover a network to persistent storage 208 from another device or dataprocessing system through computer readable signal media 228 for usewithin data processing system 200. For instance, program code stored ina computer readable storage media in a server data processing system maybe downloaded over a network from the server to data processing system200. The data processing system providing program code 220 may be aserver computer, a client computer, or some other device capable ofstoring and transmitting program code 2206.

The different components illustrated for data processing system 200 arenot meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrativeembodiments may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents in addition to, or in place of, those illustrated for dataprocessing system 200. Other components shown in FIG. 2 can be variedfrom the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of executingprogram code. As one example, data processing system 200 may includeorganic components integrated with inorganic components and/or may becomprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. Forexample, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor.

As another example, a storage device in data processing system 200 isany hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory 206, persistentstorage 208, and computer readable media 222 are examples of storagedevices in a tangible form.

In another example, a bus system may be used to implement communicationsfabric 202 and may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a systembus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bus system may be implementedusing any suitable type of architecture that provides for a transfer ofdata between different components or devices attached to the bus system.Additionally, a communications unit may include one or more devices usedto transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter.Further, a memory may be, for example, memory 206 or a cache such asfound in an interface and memory controller hub that may be present incommunications fabric 202.

During the course of developing illustrative embodiments it wasdiscovered that lighting devices along a pathway, such as a street orsidewalk, are turned on no matter if the lighting devices are being usedor not. For example, if no vehicles or pedestrians are present along thepathway, the lighting devices are still turned on. In addition, thelighting devices are turned on at full intensity or brightness. From theperspective of a total lighting system, such as a whole network of citystreet lights, this constitutes increased power consumption as well asmore frequent bulb replacements, which leads to higher total costs.

Illustrative embodiments control a network of multiple lighting devicesthat are capable of emitting light at multiple lighting intensity outputlevels and are interconnected via peer-to-peer communication. Thepeer-to-peer communication protocol between the plurality of lightingdevices allows for the sharing of environmental data, such as ambientlight levels, and lighting device state data of each lighting device inthe same peer group or lighting segment. Also, illustrative embodimentsutilize external lighting device sensors to detect approaching objects,such as vehicles, pedestrians, and animals, the direction of travel ofthe approaching objects, the distance of the approaching objects fromthe lighting devices, and the speed of travel of the approaching objectsto provide input data to a data processing system. The data processingsystem interprets the input data to control a set of one or morelighting devices in a lighting segment along a pathway based on definedlighting intervals of the lighting devices.

For example, illustrative embodiments provide intelligent lighting tomotorists traveling down a stretch of road by sequentially turning onadjacent lighting devices in a lighting segment only when required, suchas when one or more vehicles are approaching the lighting devices, andturning off the lighting devices or decreasing a light intensity outputof the lighting devices to a predefined minimum lighting intensityoutput level when no vehicles are present. In addition, illustrativeembodiments determine the optimal bulb in a multi-bulb lighting deviceto use, as well as the optimal lighting intensity level of the selectedbulb. Further, illustrative embodiments determine which lighting devicesin a lighting segment may be turned off or dimmed while maintaining apredefined minimum safe light/brightness level along a pathwayassociated with the lighting segment. Typically, the defined minimumsafe light/brightness level is defined by a governmental agency forsafety purposes and/or environmental purposes.

Thus, illustrative embodiments dynamically turn on lights only whenneeded, which saves on power and on maintenance time and costs. As aresult, illustrative embodiments will significantly decrease powerconsumption on quiet and semi-quiet streets, as well as during times oflow traffic, such as during the early morning hours. Illustrativeembodiments utilize different lighting intensity output levels dependingon the current ambient light level. The different lighting intensityoutput levels provide optimal lighting when a plurality of lightingdevices are sequentially turned on at different lighting intensitylevels producing a rolling window of light along a pathway. Also,illustrative embodiments provide an ability to approximate the durationof time a lighting device will be turned on, such as, for example, 60seconds for 10 vehicles to pass the lighting device, and to selectivelychoose a different bulb in a multi-bulb lighting device based on theduration of burn to achieve increased energy savings.

In the case of a multi-bulb lighting device, a data processing systemlocated in the lighting device will determine which bulb to turn on. Forexample, if the data processing system determines that the lightingdevice will be on for a few seconds only, the data processing systemwill select a bulb that does not require a long startup time, such as ahigh pressure sodium bulb, but will instead select a bulb with the leastenergy cost for the expected burn duration. In some cases this may beincandescent or halogen bulb, even though the high pressure sodium bulbis much more common and efficient in the long term.

One goal of illustrative embodiments is to keep a majority of thelighting devices in a lighting segment turned off if there are novehicles present within the lighting segment while still maintaining apredefined minimum lighting intensity level for that lighting segment.Illustrative embodiments turn on the lighting devices if and only if oneor more vehicles are present within the lighting segment and turn thoselighting devices off again once the vehicles have passed. Illustrativeembodiments optimize the minimum lighting intensity level of ambientlight based on the light provided by the one or more vehicles travelingwithin the lighting segment. Illustrative embodiments utilize adistributed peer-to-peer communications system to alert neighboring peerlighting devices of approaching vehicles and to suggest lightingconfigurations to the neighboring peer lighting devices.

Main components of illustrative embodiments may include: 1) lightingdevices that provide multiple lighting intensity levels using either asingle variable intensity bulb or a multi-bulb configuration; 2) asequence of lighting devices that are connected as peer lighting deviceswithin a defined lighting segment using peer-to-peer communication; 3) apeer-to-peer communication protocol that is used to share environmentaldata and lighting device state data between peer lighting devices; 4)external sensors, such as, for example, infra-red motion sensors andambient light sensors, which are used to detect approaching vehicles andambient lighting levels; and 5) a data processing system in the lightingdevices to interpret the environmental data and information obtainedfrom peer lighting devices in order to automatically turn on lightingdevices sequentially producing a rolling window of light along a pathwaybased on defined lighting intervals of the lighting devices.

Lighting devices in a sequence of lighting devices may be set at apredefined minimum lighting intensity level using, for example, a lowpower LED lighting element by default, with designated master lightingdevices in the sequence at every n-th lighting interval. The masterlighting devices may be set at a higher lighting intensity level thanthe other lighting devices in the sequence, but not set at the maximumlighting intensity level of the master lighting devices. Turning on themaximum lighting intensity level or turning on a combination of all thelighting intensity levels of the lighting devices is controlled by acombination of data inputs from the peer-to-peer network, such as, forexample, data inputs of approaching vehicles into a particular lightingsegment, as well as data inputs of a lighting device's own externalsensors. Using these data inputs, a data processing system located inthe lighting devices decides which lighting intensity output levelshould be used.

The data processing system may get approaching vehicle information frompeer lighting devices N number of lighting devices to the left/right inthe lighting segment, where N may be equal to a value such as 5, 10, 20,et cetera. The peer-to-peer networking capability may be enabled byexisting technologies, such as Ethernet networking, wireless networking,Ethernet over power line, or similar technologies. A vehicle may enterthe sequence of lighting devices at any point, in which case aparticular lighting device where the vehicle entered the sequencewill: 1) detect the vehicle using motion and/or ambient light sensors;2) adjust that particular lighting device's own ambient light levelaccordingly; and 3) send approaching vehicle information to all peerlighting devices located in a same direction of travel as the vehiclethat entered the sequence of lighting devices.

A lighting device uses the peer-to-peer network to exchange informationabout the environment, such as, for example the presence of anapproaching vehicle, the calculated speed of the approaching vehicleusing mathematical formulae with data inputs from peer lighting devices,the detected ambient lighting conditions when the approaching vehicle isat various distances from the lighting device, et cetera. Thepeer-to-peer communication protocol allows any specific lighting deviceto: use any environmental information obtained from other peer lightingdevices in the same lighting segment, which allows the lighting device'sdata processing system to turn on lighting elements at a specificlighting intensity output level and for a specified period of time(i.e., to allow a minimum ambient lighting level based on peerinformation, as well as to produce a rolling window of light along apathway); relay information from a peer on one side of the lightingdevice to a peer on the other side of the lighting device; andsynchronize control information with other peer lighting devices, suchas, for example, “I am your peer lighting device, with you at position Pin the sequence from me—please send me your environmental information.”

Thus, illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide amethod, data processing system, and computer program product forautomatic intelligent and coordinated lighting of a lighting device in alighting system. In response to a data processing system, which islocated in the lighting device, determining that an ambient light levelis less than or equal to a predetermined minimum ambient light levelthreshold value, the data processing system sets a lighting intensitylevel of a lighting element located in the lighting device to a firstlighting intensity level. The lighting element may be, for example, asingle variable intensity bulb or a set of two or more different bulbs.The first lighting intensity level may be, for example, a predefinedminimum lighting intensity output level. Then, the data processingsystem receives information regarding an approaching object from a peerlighting device within a plurality of peer lighting devices associatedwith the lighting device. The data processing system determines whetherthe approaching object is within a lighting interval of the lightingdevice based on the information regarding the approaching objectreceived from the peer lighting device. In response to the dataprocessing system determining that the approaching object is within thelighting interval of the lighting device based on the informationregarding the approaching object received from the peer lighting device,the data processing system sets the lighting intensity level of thelighting element to a second lighting intensity level. The secondlighting intensity level may be, for example, a predefined maximumlighting intensity level. Alternatively, the second lighting intensitylevel may be set at any level between the predefined minimum and maximumlighting intensity levels. Further, illustrative embodiments may utilizeany and all lighting intensity levels between the predefined minimumlighting intensity level and the predefined maximum lighting intensitylevel.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a diagram illustrating an example of alighting system is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. Lighting system 300 may be implemented, for example, innetwork data processing system 100 in FIG. 1. Lighting system 300 is anetwork of a plurality of lighting devices that emit light at aplurality of different lighting intensity output levels along a definedpathway based on input data provided by sensors associated with theplurality of lighting devices and/or data provided by peer lightingdevices within the plurality of lighting devices.

Lighting system 300 includes lighting utility service server 302,lighting device 304, lighting device 306, lighting device 308, andpathway 310. Lighting utility service server 302 may be, for example,server 104 in FIG. 1. Lighting utility service server 302 monitors andcontrols lighting that is provided by lighting device 304, lightingdevice 306, and lighting device 308. Lighting utility service server 302also may provide information, such as boot files, operating systemimages, and applications to lighting device 304, lighting device 306,and lighting device 308. Lighting device 304, lighting device 306, andlighting device 308 are clients to lighting utility service server 302.

Lighting device 304, lighting device 306, and lighting device 308 emitlight at variable lighting intensity output levels along pathway 310.Lighting device 304, lighting device 306, and lighting device 308 mayutilize a single variable intensity bulb configuration, a multi-bulbconfiguration that includes a plurality of different bulbs withdifferent lighting intensity outputs, or a combination thereof. Lightingdevice 304, lighting device 306, and lighting device 308 include sensors312. Sensors 312 are external sensors. External meaning that the sensorsare located on an exterior surface of the lighting device's housing.Lighting device 304, lighting device 306, and lighting device 308 usesensors 312 to detect environmental conditions along pathway 310.Environmental conditions may include, for example, data regardingambient light levels at different locations along pathway 310 and dataregarding an approaching object, such as object 314 or object 316traveling along pathway 310. In this example, object 314 is a vehicleand object 316 is a pedestrian. Also, pathway 310 is a street thatincludes a sidewalk. However, it should be noted that pathway 310 may beany type of pathway that can accommodate any type of land, water, or airvehicle.

In this example, lighting device 304, lighting device 306, and lightingdevice 308 are included within one lighting segment in a plurality oflighting segments of lighting system 300. A lighting segment is a set ofone or more lighting devices that illuminate a defined area of pathway310. The number of lighting devices within a particular lighting segmentand the size of the defined area illuminated by that particular lightingsegment may be defined by, for example, a system administrator oflighting system 300. Also, the system administrator may define thenumber of lighting segments within lighting system 300.

Lighting utility service server 302, lighting device 304, lightingdevice 306, and lighting device 308 are connected together viacommunications link 318. In this example, communications link 318 is awired communications link. However, it should be noted thatcommunications link 318 may be a wireless communication link or acombination of wired and wireless communication links. Further,communications link 318 provides peer-to-peer communication betweenlighting device 304, lighting device 306, and lighting device 308 via apeer-to-peer communication protocol.

Each of lighting devices 304-308 may transmit approaching objectinformation, such as approaching object information 320, to peerlighting devices in the lighting segment that are in a same direction oftravel as an approaching object, such as direction of travel 322 ofobject 314. Approaching object information 320 may include, for example,direction of travel of the approaching object, speed of travel of theapproaching object, distance from a particular lighting device, and acurrent ambient light level detected by the particular lighting device.

The current ambient light level detected by a particular lighting devicemay include light produced by the headlights of one or more vehicles ina defined area associated with that particular lighting device, such aslight 330 produced by headlights 332 of object 314 in a defined areaassociated with lighting device 304. Lighting device 304 willautomatically adjust its lighting intensity output level based on thetype and amount of light produced by the vehicles. For example, if thereare 30 vehicles clustered together on pathway 310, then the lightproduced by the 30 vehicles will increase the current light level underlighting device 304. As a result, lighting device 304 may be able todecrease its lighting intensity output level while still maintaining apredefined minimum safe lighting level within the area.

Also, if a vehicle has a cold versus a warm light, such as, for example,an LED versus a halogen light, lighting device 304 may compliment thatcolor temperature, which is typically 2700 Kelvin (K) to 4000K, toprovide an optimal lighting temperature or intensity level. Colortemperature of a bulb or lamp describes how the light appears when thehuman eye looks directly at the illuminated bulb. A light bulb thatproduces light perceived as yellowish white will have a colortemperature of around 2700K. As the color temperature increases to3000K-3500K, the color of the light appears less yellow and more white.In addition, lighting device 304 may mix different types of light, suchas, for example, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), incandescent, highpressure sodium, et cetera, in the right amounts in a multi-bulbconfiguration to produce the optimal lighting temperature or intensitylevel.

Moreover, lighting device 304 may utilize stored historical data oflighting temperature or intensity levels, which produced the leastnumber of accidents in the area of lighting device 304, to produce theoptimal lighting temperature or intensity level for the area associatedwith lighting device 304. In other words, illustrative embodiments maydecrease the risk of accidents by evaluating historical lighting andaccident trends in different locations within alighting system. Forexample, historical trends may indicate to illustrative embodiments thataccidents between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at a particular location within thelighting system occur 80% of the time when the lighting intensity outputlevel of lighting devices in that particular location is below adetermined level or that accidents between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. inthe eastbound lane of a particular stretch of road with vehicles having3500K temperature lights occur three times more frequently than vehicleshaving 2700K temperature lights. As a result, illustrative embodimentswill adjust the lighting intensity output levels and/or lightingtemperature levels of the lighting devices associated with theseparticular areas accordingly to produce a determined safe level oflighting for each of these particular areas.

Further, each of lighting devices 304-308 has an associated lightinginterval. For example, lighting device 304 is associated with lightinginterval 324, lighting device 306 is associated with lighting interval326, and lighting device 308 is associated with lighting interval 328. Alighting interval is a duration of time that a bulb or a plurality ofbulbs within alighting device are set to an increased lighting intensityoutput level based on a calculated speed of travel of an approachingobject.

In this example, lighting device 304 increases its lighting intensityoutput level to a predefined maximum output level when object 314 enterslighting interval 324. In addition, lighting device 304 may sendapproaching object information 320 to peer lighting device 306. Then,lighting device 306 increases its lighting intensity output level to apredefined maximum output level when object 314 enters lighting interval326 while lighting device 304 decreases its lighting intensity outputlevel to a predefined minimum output level after vehicle 304 leaveslighting interval 324 or when a lighting time out time associated withlighting interval 324 has been reached. Then, lighting device 308increases its lighting intensity output level to a predefined maximumoutput level when object 314 enters lighting interval 328 while lightingdevice 306 decreases its lighting intensity output level to a predefinedminimum output level after vehicle 304 leaves lighting interval 326 andwhile lighting device 304 decreases its lighting intensity output levelto a zero output level after vehicle 304 leaves lighting interval 326.As a result, lighting devices 304-308 produce a rolling window of lightin direction of travel 322 for object 314 as object 314 travels alongpathway 310 using information obtained by sensors 312 and/or approachingobject information 320 provided by peer lighting devices.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a diagram illustrating an example of asingle bulb lighting device is depicted in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. Single bulb lighting device 400 may beimplemented in, for example, lighting device 304 in FIG. 3. Single bulblighting device 400 is an example of a lighting device that emits aplurality of different lighting intensity output levels using a singlevariable intensity bulb.

Single bulb lighting device 400 includes housing 402, lens 404, bulb406, data processing system 408, ambient light sensor 410, motion sensor412, and antenna 414. Housing 402 is a mechanical casing that supportsand protects the components of single bulb lighting device 400. Lens 404evenly diffuses the light emitted by bulb 406. Alternatively, lens 404may collimate or focus the light emitted by bulb 406.

Bulb 406 is a variable intensity lighting element capable of emitting aplurality of different lighting intensity output levels, such as, forexample, a 3-way light bulb or a lighting element controlled by arheostat. Data processing system 408 may be, for example, dataprocessing system 200 in FIG. 2. Data processing system 408 controlsoperation of single bulb lighting device 400. In other words, dataprocessing system 408 controls the lighting intensity output level ofbulb 406. Data processing system 408 controls the lighting intensityoutput level of bulb 406 using data obtained from ambient light sensor410, motion sensor 412, and/or antenna 414. Data processing system 408uses the data provided by ambient light sensor 410, motion sensor 412,and/or antenna 414 to determine the current environmental conditionsaround single bulb lighting device 400. Data processing system 408 thenuses the current environmental conditions data to determine the correctlighting intensity output level of bulb 406 based on the currentenvironmental conditions.

Ambient light sensor 410 and motion sensor 412 may be, for example,sensors 312 in FIG. 3. Ambient light sensor 410 detects the amount oflight around single bulb lighting device 400, which may include lightproduced naturally and light produced by one or more approachingobjects, such as light produced by oncoming headlights of vehicles.Motion sensor 412 may be, for example, an infra-red motion sensor thatdetects the movement of an approaching object, such as object 314 inFIG. 3. Antenna 414 wirelessly receives approaching vehicle data frompeer lighting devices associated with single bulb lighting device 400.

With reference now to FIG. 5, a diagram illustrating an example of amulti-bulb lighting device is depicted in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. Multi-bulb lighting device 500 may beimplemented in, for example, lighting device 304 in FIG. 3. Multi-bulblighting device 500 is an example of a lighting device that emits aplurality of different lighting intensity output levels using aplurality of different bulbs with different lighting intensity outputlevels or using a plurality of a same intensity bulb and turning ondifferent numbers of the plurality of the same intensity bulb.

Multi-bulb lighting device 500 includes housing 502, lens 504, firstlighting intensity level bulb 506, second lighting intensity level bulb508, third lighting intensity level bulb 510, data processing system512, ambient light sensor 514, motion sensor 516, and antenna 518.Housing 502 may be, for example, housing 402 in FIG. 4. Housing 502supports and protects the components of multi-bulb lighting device 500.Lens 504 may be, for example, lens 404 in FIG. 4. Depending on theillustrative embodiment, lens 504 may either diffuse or collimate thelight emitted by first lighting intensity level bulb 506, secondlighting intensity level bulb 508, third lighting intensity level bulb510, or any combination thereof.

First lighting intensity level bulb 506, second lighting intensity levelbulb 508, and third lighting intensity level bulb 510 represent aplurality of different bulbs capable of emitting a plurality ofdifferent lighting intensity output levels. Data processing system 512may be, for example, data processing system 408. Data processing system512 controls operation of multi-bulb lighting device 500. In otherwords, data processing system 408 controls which of first lightingintensity level bulb 506, second lighting intensity level bulb 508,third lighting intensity level bulb 510, or any combination thereof areturned on at any one time. Data processing system 512 uses data obtainedfrom ambient light sensor 514, motion sensor 516, and/or antenna 518 todetermine the current environmental conditions around multi-bulblighting device 500. Data processing system 512 then uses the currentenvironmental conditions data to determine which bulb or combination ofbulbs to turn on to provide an optimal lighting intensity output levelfor the current environmental conditions.

Ambient light sensor 514 and motion sensor 516 may be, for example,ambient light sensor 410 and motion sensor 412 in FIG. 4. Ambient lightsensor 514 detects the amount of light around multi-bulb lighting device500 including naturally produced light and artificially produced light.The artificially produced light may be produced by, for example,headlights of one or more approaching vehicles. Motion sensor 516detects the movement of approaching objects, such as object 314 in FIG.3. Antenna 518 wirelessly receives approaching vehicle data from peerlighting devices associated with multi-bulb lighting device 500.

With reference now to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, a flowchart illustrating aprocess for automatic intelligent and coordinated lighting of a lightingdevice in a lighting system is shown in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. The process shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B may be implementedin a data processing system, such as, for example, data processingsystem 408 in FIG. 4.

The process begins when the data processing system receives an input topower on a lighting device in a lighting system, such as lighting device308 in lighting system 300 in FIG. 3 (step 602). Subsequently, the dataprocessing system powers on the lighting device (step 604). In addition,the data processing system establishes communication between thelighting device and a plurality of peer lighting devices in the lightingsystem (step 606). The plurality of peer lighting devices may be, forexample, lighting devices 304 and 306 associated with lighting device308 in FIG. 3. Associated with means that the lighting devices areincluded in the same lighting segment in the lighting system. Thecommunication between the lighting device and the plurality of peerlighting devices may be via, for example, a peer-to-peer communicationprotocol.

Further, the data processing system determines a location and a sequenceposition of each peer lighting device in relation to the lighting device(step 608). Furthermore, the data processing system detects an ambientlight level using an ambient light sensor associated with the lightingdevice, such as ambient light sensor 410 in FIG. 4 (step 610). Then, thedata processing system makes a determination as to whether the ambientlight level is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum ambientlight level threshold value (step 612).

If the data processing system determines that the ambient light level isnot less than or equal to the predetermined minimum ambient light levelthreshold value, no output of step 612, then the data processing systemsets a lighting intensity level of a lighting element located within thelighting device to a zero lighting intensity level (step 614). Thelighting element may be, for example, bulb 406 in FIG. 4. Thereafter,the process returns to step 610 where the data processing systemcontinues to detect the ambient light level around the lighting device.

If the data processing system determines that the ambient light level isless than or equal to the predetermined minimum ambient light levelthreshold value, yes output of step 612, then the data processing systemsets the lighting intensity level of the lighting element to apredefined minimum lighting intensity level (step 616). The predefinedminimum lighting intensity level may be set by, for example, agovernmental agency concerned with public safety or concerned withenergy conservation. Moreover, the data processing system makes adetermination as to whether the data processing system has receivedinformation regarding an approaching object, such as object 314 in FIG.3, from a peer lighting device (step 618).

If the data processing system determines that information regarding anapproaching object has been received from a peer lighting device, yesoutput of step 618, then the process proceeds to step 622. If the dataprocessing system determines that information regarding an approachingobject has not been received from a peer lighting device, no output ofstep 618, then the data processing system makes a determination as towhether the data processing system detects an approaching object using amotion sensor associated with the lighting device, such as motion sensor412 in FIG. 4 (step 620). If the data processing system determines thatan approaching object is not detected by the motion sensor, no output ofstep 620, then the process returns to step 610 where the data processingsystem continues to detect the ambient light level around the lightingdevice. If the data processing system determines that an approachingobject is detected by the motion sensor, yes output of step 620, thenthe data processing system determines a direction of travel, a distancefrom the lighting device, and a speed of travel of the approachingobject (step 622).

Afterward, the data processing system makes a determination as towhether the approaching object within a lighting interval of thelighting device, such as lighting interval 324 in FIG. 3 (step 624). Ifthe data processing system determines that the approaching object is notwithin the lighting interval of the lighting device, no output of step624, then the process returns to step 622 where the data processingsystem continues to calculate the direction of travel, the distance fromthe lighting device, and the speed of travel of the approaching object.If the data processing system determines that the approaching object iswithin the lighting interval of the lighting device, yes output of step624, then the data processing system sets the lighting intensity levelof the lighting element to a predefined maximum lighting intensity level(step 626). The predefined maximum lighting intensity level of thelighting element may be defined by, for example, a manufacturer of thelighting element or an environmental agency.

In addition, the data processing system transmits approaching objectinformation to a set of one or more peer lighting devices located in asame direction of travel as the approaching object (step 628). Forexample, lighting device 304 transmits approaching object information320 to lighting device 306 in a same direction as direction of travel322 of object 314 in FIG. 3. Subsequently, the data processing systemmakes a determination as to whether a lighting time out associated withthe lighting interval has been reached based on the speed of travel ofthe approaching object (step 630). A lighting time out is an end of adefined period of time (i.e., the lighting interval) at which point acurrent lighting intensity level of the lighting device is decreased. Ifthe data processing system determines that the lighting time outassociated with the lighting interval has not been reached based on thespeed of travel of the approaching object, no output of step 630, thenthe process returns to step 630 where the data processing systemcontinues to wait for the lighting time out to be reached. If the dataprocessing system determines that the lighting time out associated withthe lighting interval has been reached based on the speed of travel ofthe approaching object, yes output of step 630, then the process returnsto step 610 where the data processing system continues to detect theambient light level around the lighting device.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a specific example of a peer-to-peeralgorithm is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Peer-to-peer algorithm 700 may be included in, for example, intelligentlighting program 218 in FIG. 2, and implemented in, for example, dataprocessing system 408 in FIG. 4. Peer-to-peer algorithm 700 is asequence of steps for setting a light intensity output level of alighting device in a lighting system based on data obtained from one ormore sensors and/or data obtained from one or more peer lightingdevices. The lighting device in the lighting system may be, for example,lighting device 308 in lighting system 300 in FIG. 3, the sensors maybe, for example, sensors 312 in FIG. 3, and the peer lighting devicesmay be, for example, lighting devices 304 and 306 in FIG. 3.

Peer-to-peer algorithm 700 includes step 702 and step 704. In step 702,peer-to-peer algorithm 700 sets the lighting intensity output level ofthe lighting device at a default level. The default level may be, forexample, a predefined minimum lighting intensity output level. Also instep 702, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 establishes communication with alldefined peer lighting devices in a same lighting segment of the lightingsystem. The communication between the lighting device and all definedpeer lighting devices may be via, for example, a peer-to-peercommunication protocol.

In step 704, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 determines if an incoming car,such as object 314 in FIG. 3, is detected by a sensor with no incomingcar information, such as approaching object information 320 in FIG. 3,being received from a peer lighting device. If this is the case,peer-to-peer algorithm 700 determines that a new car has entered thelighting system. Accordingly, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 sets thelighting intensity output level at a higher level and communications allthis information to all of the defined peer lighting devices.

Also in step 704, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 determines if an incomingcar is detected from incoming car information received from one or morepeer lighting devices “from the left.” If incoming car information isreceived from one or more peer lighting devices from the left,peer-to-peer algorithm 700 determines the number of peer lightingdevices away the car is. If the number of peer lighting devices is lessthan or equal to the lighting interval associated with the lightingdevice, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 sets the lighting intensity level ata higher level and transmits all this information to all of the definedpeer lighting devices in a rolling window of light “to the right.”

Further in step 704, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 determines if anincoming car is detected from incoming car information received from oneor more peer lighting devices “from the right.” If incoming carinformation is received from one or more peer lighting devices from theright, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 determines the number of peer lightingdevices away the car is. If the number of peer lighting devices is lessthan or equal to the lighting interval associated with the lightingdevice, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 sets the lighting intensity level ata higher level and transmits all this information to all of the definedpeer lighting devices in a rolling window of light “to the left.”

Further in step 704, if peer-to-peer algorithm 700 determines that nocar is detected by a sensor associated with the lighting device AND noincoming car information is received from one or more peer lightingdevices AND a time out time associated with the lighting interval hasbeen reached, then peer-to-peer algorithm 700 sets the lightingintensity output level at the predefined minimum lighting intensityoutput level. Alternatively, peer-to-peer algorithm 700 may set thelighting intensity output level at a zero lighting intensity outputlevel at this point.

Thus, illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide amethod, data processing system, and computer program product forautomatic intelligent and coordinated lighting of a lighting device in alighting system. The descriptions of the various embodiments of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, butare not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodimentsdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the described embodiment. The terminology used herein was chosen tobest explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical applicationor technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, orto enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand theembodiments disclosed here.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for lighting a lighting device, themethod comprising: setting, by a data processing system, a lightingintensity level of a lighting element located in the lighting device toa first lighting intensity level, wherein the lighting element includesa plurality of different types of lighting intensity level bulbs, eachbulb in the plurality of different types of lighting intensity levelbulbs produces a different color temperature; responsive to the dataprocessing system determining that an approaching object is within alighting interval of the lighting device, setting, by the dataprocessing system, the lighting intensity level of the lighting elementto a second lighting intensity level; and selecting, by the dataprocessing system, a set of one or more bulbs in the plurality ofdifferent types of lighting intensity level bulbs to complement a colortemperature produced by the approaching object.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: determining, by the data processing system, alocation and a sequence position of each peer lighting device in aplurality of peer lighting devices in relation to the lighting device;and transmitting, by the data processing system, approaching objectinformation to a set of peer lighting devices located in a samedirection of travel as the approaching object.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the approaching object information is transmitted from thelighting device to the set of peer lighting devices via a peer-to-peercommunication protocol.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:detecting, by the data processing system, the approaching object using amotion sensor associated with the lighting device; and determining, bythe data processing system, a direction of travel, a distance from thelighting device, and a speed of travel of the approaching object usingdata obtained by the motion sensor.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising: determining, by the data processing system, whether alighting time out associated with the lighting interval has been reachedbased on the speed of travel of the approaching object; and responsiveto determining, by the data processing system, that a lighting time outassociated with the lighting interval has been reached based on thespeed of travel of the approaching object, setting, by the dataprocessing system, the lighting intensity level of the lighting elementto one of the first lighting intensity level or a third lightingintensity level.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first lightingintensity level of the lighting element is a predefined minimum lightingintensity level, and wherein the second lighting intensity level of thelighting element is a predefined maximum lighting intensity level, andwherein the third lighting intensity level of the lighting element is azero lighting intensity level.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: responsive to the data processing system determining that anambient light level is less than or equal to a predetermined minimumambient light level threshold value, setting, by the data processingsystem, the lighting intensity level of the lighting element located inthe lighting device to the first lighting intensity level.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the ambient light level is a current level of lightsurrounding the lighting device, and wherein the current level of lightincludes light produced by objects in an area associated with thelighting device, and wherein the ambient light level is detected by anambient light level sensor associated with the lighting device.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the data processingsystem, information regarding the approaching object from a peerlighting device within a plurality of peer lighting devices associatedwith the lighting device; and determining, by the data processingsystem, whether the approaching object is within the lighting intervalof the lighting device based on the information regarding theapproaching object received from the peer lighting device.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the approaching object is a vehicle.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the approaching object travels along apathway, and wherein the lighting device and a plurality of peerlighting devices are located adjacent to the pathway.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the lighting interval is a duration of time that thelighting element is set to an increased lighting intensity level basedon a calculated speed of travel of the approaching object.
 13. A dataprocessing system for lighting a lighting device, the data processingsystem comprising: a bus system; a storage device connected to the bussystem, wherein the storage device stores computer readable programcode; and a processor connected to the bus system, wherein the processorexecutes the computer readable program code to: set a lighting intensitylevel of a lighting element located in the lighting device to a firstlighting intensity level, wherein the lighting element includes aplurality of different types of lighting intensity level bulbs, eachbulb in the plurality of different types of lighting intensity levelbulbs produces a different color temperature; set the lighting intensitylevel of the lighting element to a second lighting intensity level inresponse to determining that an approaching object is within a lightinginterval of the lighting device; and select a set of one or more bulbsin the plurality of different types of lighting intensity level bulbs tocomplement a color temperature produced by the approaching object. 14.The data processing system of claim 13, wherein the processor furtherexecutes the computer readable program code to: determine a location anda sequence position of each peer lighting device in a plurality of peerlighting devices in relation to the lighting device; and transmitapproaching object information to a set of peer lighting devices locatedin a same direction of travel as the approaching object.
 15. A computerprogram product for lighting a lighting device, the computer programproduct comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a data processing system to cause the data processingsystem to perform a method comprising: setting, by the data processingsystem, a lighting intensity level of a lighting element located in thelighting device to a first lighting intensity level, wherein thelighting element includes a plurality of different types of lightingintensity level bulbs, each bulb in the plurality of different types oflighting intensity level bulbs produces a different color temperature;responsive to the data processing system determining that an approachingobject is within a lighting interval of the lighting device, setting, bythe data processing system, the lighting intensity level of the lightingelement to a second lighting intensity level; and selecting, by the dataprocessing system, a set of one or more bulbs in the plurality ofdifferent types of lighting intensity level bulbs to complement a colortemperature produced by the approaching object.
 16. The computer programproduct of claim 15, further comprising: determining, by the dataprocessing system, a location and a sequence position of each peerlighting device in a plurality of peer lighting devices in relation tothe lighting device; and transmitting, by the data processing system,approaching object information to a set of peer lighting devices locatedin a same direction of travel as the approaching object.
 17. Thecomputer program product of claim 16, wherein the approaching objectinformation is transmitted from the lighting device to the set of peerlighting devices via a peer-to-peer communication protocol.
 18. Thecomputer program product of claim 15, further comprising: detecting, bythe data processing system, the approaching object using a motion sensorassociated with the lighting device; and determining, by the dataprocessing system, a direction of travel, a distance from the lightingdevice, and a speed of travel of the approaching object using dataobtained by the motion sensor.
 19. The computer program product of claim18, further comprising: determining, by the data processing system,whether a lighting time out associated with the lighting interval hasbeen reached based on the speed of travel of the approaching object; andresponsive to determining, by the data processing system, that alighting time out associated with the lighting interval has been reachedbased on the speed of travel of the approaching object, setting, by thedata processing system, the lighting intensity level of the lightingelement to one of the first lighting intensity level or a third lightingintensity level.
 20. The computer program product of claim 19, whereinthe first lighting intensity level of the lighting element is apredefined minimum lighting intensity level, and wherein the secondlighting intensity level of the lighting element is a predefined maximumlighting intensity level, and wherein the third lighting intensity levelof the lighting element is a zero lighting intensity level.